Dell Inspiron 3505 – Recommendation for Secondary SSD (Dual Boot + Simulation Work)

Hi Community,

I’m planning to use the secondary storage slot in my Dell Inspiron 3505 (Ryzen 5 3500U variant) and would appreciate some guidance.

Current configuration:

• M.2 2280 SSD (512GB) – Occupied (Primary drive)

• 2 RAM slots – Both occupied (16GB total)

• 2.5" SATA bay – Empty (Planning to use this)

I primarily use my laptop for:

• Circuit simulations (OrCAD)

• Development work (VS Code)

• Other technical workloads

• Planning to set up dual boot (Windows + Linux)

I would like recommendations on:

1. Suitable SSD size (1TB vs 2TB?)

2. Reliable brands/models compatible with this laptop

3. Whether a 2.5" SATA SSD is the best option for the empty bay

4. Any specific installation considerations (cable/bracket requirements)

Looking for a balance between performance and long-term reliability.

Thanks in advance for your suggestions!